Three ways to use salt in your beauty regime

Find out how you can use humble sea salt to power up your skin care regime.

Our bodies have the same concentration of minerals and nutrients as sea water, so it is unsurprising that sea salt is our natural ally when it comes to protecting and restoring balance for our skin. Compared to regular salt, sea salt is packed with minerals such as calcium, magnesium and potassium – all of which play an important role in our skin’s health.

When your skin’s mineral balance is off, you may experience symptoms such as dullness, dryness or irritation. This can be especially true as the weather becomes colder and dryer. To take advantage of sea salt’s skin-boosting properties, try the following:

1. Balancing facemask

Sea salt has anti-inflammatory properties which help to soothe the skin and calm any irritation, making it an ideal ingredient in facemasks. Adding honey will boost the anti-inflammatory properties even more while adding a boost of moisture.

Recipe: Mix two teaspoons of finely ground sea salt with four teaspoons of raw honey and apply to clean, dry skin (be sure to avoid the eye area). Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes and lay a warm washcloth on your face for 30 seconds. Use your fingers to gently exfoliate the skin while rinsing off the mask with tepid water.

2. Softening body scrub

Salt is a natural exfoliate that helps to slough off dead skin cells. On top of this it has minerals that help to soften the skin and restore healthy moisture levels.

Recipe: Mix half a cup of olive oil or softened coconut oil with a quarter cup of salt. If you want, add a few drops of your favourite essential oil. Apply is the shower, gently scrubbing your skin in a circular motion.

3. Salt bath

Salt naturally draws out toxins while protecting the skin’s moisture barrier, so it is a great addition to your bath.

Recipe: Add one-third cup of salt to a tub of warm water and swish around to dissolve the salt – again, feel free to add a few drops of essential oil.

If you need expert advice when it comes to your skin, you may find it useful to visit a dermatologist. Find one in your local area using our advanced search.